Purpose This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of publications on patient participation in nursing services. It evaluates publication performance, identifies intellectual and conceptual structures, and extracts motor themes and development trajectories in the literature to inform future research questions. Design/methodology/approach A dataset of 1,489 articles related to patient participation was retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database up to 2024. Bibliometric analyses were performed using R-based Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and SciMAT software. The search strategy focused on relevant keywords within the “nursing” category, limiting results to English-language articles. Findings Between 1982 and 2024, 1,489 publications have been produced on patient participation in nursing, achieving strong momentum with an annual increase of 12.86%. The most frequently used concepts are participation, involvement, and engagement, and the literature is increasingly shifting toward digital health themes. Publications exhibit a global, multi-authored, and interdisciplinary structure. Key concepts and citation relationships indicate that patient participation in nursing has rapidly evolved from an individual to a system-level concept after 2016, and by 2020, has become centered on digitalization and institutionalization. A historical and functional hierarchy exists among the concepts related to patient participation. The sequence of Enablement →Empowerment → Activation → Involvement → Participation → Engagement reflects the conceptual development of patient-centered care in nursing. Although these concepts appear similar, they have different focuses and function as prerequisites or outcomes for one another. Engagement is the most comprehensive concept. Practical implications This study approaches patient participation not merely as an ethical principle or a communication expectation, but as an operational necessity for safe care. Structured participation practices – such as standardized bedside handovers and transparent discussions of risks and care stages – enhance patient safety and care continuity by reducing information loss and preventable readmissions. They clarify accountability for nurses and clinicians while minimizing clinical uncertainty during transitions of care. For hospital administrators, these practices enable the monitoring and auditability of processes such as communication quality and post-discharge follow-up at the unit level. For policymakers, they provide a direct rationale for resource allocation and regulatory action by linking participation to cost-related outcomes, including complications and emergency readmissions. Originality/value This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of patient participation in nursing, identifying thematic clusters and gaps. It contributes to the broader understanding of the field and supports the development of research strategies.
Köse et al. (Tue,) studied this question.